Mets 3, Reds 0: Volquez ends year on optimistic note

NEW YORK - Edinson Volquez's wild journey this season ended on a positive note.

NEW YORK — Edinson Volquez’s wild journey this season ended on a positive note.

Volquez worked a season high-tying seven innings for the Cincinnati Reds in a 3-0 loss to the New York Mets yesterday.

“I think it’s my best outing since I came back from triple-A,” said Volquez, who had elbow surgery in 2008.

Volquez (5-7) gave up a bunt single to Jose Reyes, who was trying to win the National League batting title, in the first inning but didn’t allow another batter to reach until Willie Harris walked with one out in the fourth. David Wright and Nick Evans then hit back-to-back singles to give the Mets the lead.

“He pitched well enough to win,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “He’s gotten back to throwing strikes. He found the strike zone again. Cut down on his base on balls, (and) his future is still very bright.”

Cincinnati only managed two hits off Miguel Batista (5-2) in the finale of a disappointing season, winding up at 79-83 after winning the NL Central last year.

“We’re going to work on our areas of improvement,” Baker said. “Getting our front-line guys back out there, stay healthy. That’s what winters are for, to build and enhance.”

Volquez only had to deal with Reyes once. The speedy shortstop was lifted for a pinch runner after the bunt hit, a move fans in Citi Field did not like and showed it with lusty boos from the modest crowd announced at 28,816.

“It was kind of tough,” Reyes said. “I want to stay in the game. They have to understand, too, what’s going on. They have to feel happy about it if I win the battling title.”

Terry Collins, finishing up his first year as Mets manager, had to fight back tears as he explained why he took out Reyes so early.

“I understand. I heard some comments in the stands. I don’t blame them. People pay a good price to come to these games. You’ve got to understand that I ask these players to do a lot,” Collins said before taking a long pause. “We worked hard to get their respect this year, and they deserve ours.”

Volquez’s only mistake came in the sixth inning, when Mike Baxter hit a two-run drive to right-center for his first major-league homer.

Volquez started on opening day, but he struggled from the start and made two trips to triple-A Louisville to figure out his control problems, returning from his last stint on Sept. 3.

He turned down a multiyear contract offer last offseason and is arbitration eligible.

“I want to stay here,” he said. “I want to pitch here for the rest of my career.”